Alamo Hires Former Pabst Executive As New COO

Months away from beginning construction on a multi-million dollar brewery in San Antonio, Alamo Beer Company has added to its executive team.

Alamo announced earlier this week that industry veteran Jim Walter will serve as the the company’s new chief operating officer (COO), according to a release. Walter, who has more than 30 years of brewing management experience, recently worked as the chief operating and strategy officer for Pabst Brewing Company. Before his time with Pabst, Walter served as a sales and finance executive for G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wis., which has been defunct since 1996.

“Jim brings a depth of experience to our company that is comparable to any significant brewery in the country,” Eugene Simor, Alamo’s founder and CEO, said in the release. “I’m looking forward to working with him on establishing an organization that produces a great beer, promotes our Texas values and continues contributing to the local economy.”

As the new COO, Walter will be responsible for establishing brewery operations such as manufacturing performance, human resources, procurement and product positioning, among other duties.

While at Pabst, Walter led the company’s rebranding strategy, which generated an 18 percent growth of revenue, and a cost control project that saved the company $15 million, according to the release.

Alamo Golden Ale, the brewery’s only offering, has been distributed in San Antonio since 2003 and is currently brewed about one hour north in Blanco, Texas.

Construction of Alamo’s 18,000 square-foot brewery will start in December and has an estimated completion date of October 2014. The brewery will be built half a mile from The Alamo battle site and will feature a full production line, a beer hall and a beer garden. The brewery will also allow Alamo to diversify its product line.